Centuries ago, Tokyo was known as Edo. More than a million people enjoyed life in this small but abundant city. They live on in ukiyo-e woodblock prints. Each episode is a deep dive into a single print, and an exploration of the soul of Old Tokyo. We examine works by artists like Hokusai and Hiroshige not just for their aesthetic and historical value, but for the stories they tell of everyday life. That is how the people of Edo themselves enjoyed this mass-produced medium.
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We visit a terakoya, a school teaching reading and writing. Today the young students have come dressed in their finest, and are busy putting brush to paper to show off their calligraphy skills.
Two cranes hang out on the edge of a series of paddy fields where a man walks back and forth scattering something on the ground. They've been lured to a falconry preserve...but all is not as it seems.
We visit a store selling folding fans, where a young customer is having trouble making up his mind. The accessories were popular because the shape of the open fan symbolized increasing prosperity.
A full moon shines above a bustling neighborhood. Featured prominently are kabuki theaters...on hiatus. Still, people have come out to take in the nightlife, and hopefully a celebrity sighting or two.
Pilgrims have gathered on a beach along the Kanagawa coast, near Kamakura. Their destination is Enoshima, an island offering leisure, adventure, and spirituality. But first, they had to get across...
Down along the Sumida River, boats travel to and fro transporting cargo. On the skyline beyond a curious structure towers over its surroundings, eerily resembling a modern-day Tokyo landmark.
Rugged cliffs and a river frame a picturesque view of Mt. Fuji at a popular sightseeing spot near the city center. A nearby bridge turns out to be an invaluable lifeline for the Edo townspeople.
A group of kids have gathered to play a game where 100 ghost stories were shared as night slowly closed in. We find out that this chilling activity was actually about instilling important life skills.
A mother and daughter brave the rain to visit their local bathhouse, exchanging words with a young girl along the way. We learn that regular bathing was an essential part of life for the townspeople.
Centuries ago, Tokyo was known as Edo. More than a million people enjoyed life in this small but abundant city. They live on in ukiyo-e woodblock prints. Each episode is a deep dive into a single print, and an exploration of the soul of Old Tokyo. We examine works by artists like Hokusai and Hiroshige not just for their aesthetic and historical value, but for the stories they tell of everyday life. That is how the people of Edo themselves enjoyed this mass-produced medium.
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NHK , NHK Educational
